Important updates from the City of St. John's
|
|
City of St. John's Waiving Some Permit Fees
|
|
Effective May 27 and continuing for the remainder of 2020, the City of St. John’s is finding additional ways to support residents during the Covid-19 pandemic - waiving all new residential and commercial permit fees for the following construction projects;
- Patios and decks
- Fences
- Accessory buildings (such as sheds)
- General Repairs
Residents will still be required to make a permit application, however the minimum fee of $50 for these permits and the additional $9 fee per $1,000 in construction value is waived for the 2020 construction season.
|
|
Kenmount Road Construction Project Set to Begin
|
|
The City of St. John's is continuing its investment in critical infrastructure upgrades on Kenmount Road in 2020 - upgrading the storm sewer from the area of Peet Street to Pippy Place.
Work is expected to begin during the first week of June and will continue for approximately six months. Kenmount Road will be down to one lane in each direction. Hours of construction are Monday to Friday, and every second Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
|
|
Public Engagement Opportunities -
The City wants to hear your ideas!
|
|
Re-Imagine Churchill Square: Public Engagement
The public are invited to re-imagine Churchill Square through an engagement process that will take a holistic look at the area to explore possibilities for further investment and improving this public space.
Visit
engagestjohns.ca
where you can learn more about the project, participate in the discussion,
take a survey
, and watch a short video about the project.
|
|
A Discussion on Sidewalk Snow Clearing
The City has designated 161 km of sidewalk to be cleared during the winter season.
Winter sidewalk maintenance activities are an important component of an active transportation network - to be part of the discussion, visit
Engage St. John's
to learn more.
|
|
|
Restrictions Easing in Municipal Parks; Tennis Courts Now Open!
|
|
The City has officially lifted its “walk through only” restriction in municipal parks. However, all government restrictions associated with Alert Level 4 are still in effect.
As long as physical distancing is maintained, patrons can now avail of passive open spaces within parks for activities that are not prohibited. City-owned tennis courts are also now available for use.
|
|
All recreational facilities within the park must remain closed, including swimming pools, picnic areas, playgrounds and skate parks. The duck pond at Bowring Park also remains closed to public access.
Activities that require contact, including team sports, are still not permitted at this time.
|
|
|
Curbside Recycling & Yard Waste Collection
|
|
As of June 1, the City of St. John’s resumed regular, bi-weekly recycling collection.
|
|
Yard Waste collection at the curb also began June 1, collection is bi-weekly on the same day as your recycling.
Yard waste placed at the curb - including grass, leaves, soil, sod and small branches - must be placed in paper yard waste bags to be collected. All of the paper bagged yard waste will be composted on-site at Robin Hood Bay.
|
|
|
SHOP RIGHT HERE - For the Greater Good of our Community!
|
|
As we adapt to online shopping, home delivery, and curbside pick-up, please support our business community and economy - so that once this pandemic is over, we can all continue to thrive!
|
|
Below are further listings of businesses operating in St. John’s metro, offering contactless services, products and promotions.
Follow along with -
|
|
|
Government of Canada - Covid-19 Support Program Updates:
|
|
COVID-19: Data to Insights for a Better Canada
Statistics Canada has developed
series of articles
on various subjects which explore the impact of COVID-19 on the socio-economic landscape. New articles will be released periodically.
To monitor the impacts of COVID-19 on economic activity in Canada, Statistics Canada has compiled a
Canadian Economic Dashboard and COVID-19
to present data on a range of monthly indicators – real GDP, consumer prices, employment, merchandise exports and imports, retail sales, hours worked and manufacturing sales - as well as monthly data on aircraft movements, and travel between Canada and other countries.
|
|
Consultation on Wage Subsidy Now Open
The Federal Government is currently considering changes to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) to help maximize employment and best meet the needs of businesses and workers during these challenging times.
To inform this process, the Department of Finance Canada is now seeking information and feedback from businesses of all sizes, labour representatives, not-for-profits and charities on potential changes to the program, with a view to maximize employment in Canada and encourage growth. Comment
here
before
June 5.
|
|
Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program
Applications are now available for the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program (CECRA). Over the course of the program, property owners will reduce rent by at least 75% for the months of April and May (retroactive), and June, for their small business tenants. CECRA will cover 50% of the rent, with the tenant paying up to 25% and the property owner forgiving at least 25%.
|
|
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador - Alert Level 3
|
|
|
|
If you are a business preparing to open at
Alert Level 3,
visit
NL Life with Covid 19
where you will find resources and guidelines.
Additional guidance documents for businesses will be added over the coming days - check back often!
|
|
Gov of NL Announces Measures to Ease Pressures on Local Businesses
|
|
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced a number of measures including $6 million in deferred fees, as well as steps to reduce the regulatory burden for businesses.
Companies will see discounts, for example, in water usage fees for microbreweries and a partial refund on commercial vehicle registration fees for vehicles that are currently not in use. A complete list of initiatives can be found
here
.
|
|
Gov of NL P
rioritizes Local for Public Procurement during COVID-19
|
|
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has added a
local preference
provision to the Public Procurement Regulations in an effort to help local companies through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The provision will give local businesses more access, as it mandates an allowance of 10% for local suppliers for all procurement contracts — to the maximum allowed under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement. The procurement process in Newfoundland and Labrador affects all public bodies including municipalities.
|
|
New Support Program for Tourism and Hospitality Industry
|
|
The $25-million
Tourism and Hospitality Support Program
complements existing emergency supports, to better position operators to reopen as public health measures relax through the Province's staged reopening plan.
Eligible small and medium-sized tourism operators will be able to apply for a one-time, non-repayable working capital contribution of either $5,000 or $10,000, dependent on gross sales.
Applicants will have to meet various criteria like showing revenue loss in March and April 2020, or forecast sales losses from May to August 2020. Eligible operators can begin to apply on
Monday, June 8.
Additional information will be available on the
Department’s website
in the coming days.
|
|
Opportunities & Further Supports
|
|
Employment Opportunities - in technology and essential services!
|
|
If you are seeking employment, there are jobs available in the food and seafood processing sector, the tech sector and various openings in essential services.
Visit the following opportunity websites for jobs in the technology sector -
|
|
Genesis Evolution Program: Applications Open for Summer Cohort
|
|
Have a tech business idea you've always wanted to explore?
Consider applying to the Genesis Centre - a business incubator for technology start-ups that accelerates start-ups through all stages of idea development – the Genesis Centre is accepting applications for their
Evolution Program
. First session is
June 10 -
get your application in today!
|
|
Have you heard of a business that is adapting to provide pandemic solutions? – Share these stories of ingenuity with Canada and the world -
#CanadaResilient
|
|
Atlantic Women’s Venture Fund Launch
The Atlantic Women’s Venture Fund announced the launch of its inaugural fund,
Sandpiper Ventures
, which will be committed to investing in female tech entrepreneurs across Canada as a proactive and profitable business decision.
Danielle Graham has been named the fund's Investment Principal. Graham will oversee the distribution of a planned $20 million fund to female-led businesses across Canada, with investments tentatively slated to begin in three to six months.
|
|
Further Support & Resources from the Federal, Provincial (NL) & Municipal Government(s) & Industry Associations
|
|
|
|
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Regional Municipalities
|
|
|
A
PEC -
Atlantic Provinces Economic Council -
Click here
BOT
- St. John’s Board of Trade -
CBA -
Conception Bay Area Chamber of Commerce -
Click here
MPCC
- Mount Pearl Chamber of Commerce -
Click here
CFIB
- Canadian Federation of Independent Business -
Click here
PLA
- Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland and Labrador -
Click here
|
|
NOIA
- Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Industry Association -
Click here
NATI
- Newfoundland Association of Technology & Innovation -
Click here
NEIA
- Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industries Association -
Click here
NLCA
- Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association -
Click here
HNL
- Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador -
Click here
|
|
|
Department of Community Services | Economic Development, Culture and Partnerships
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
